http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/
enMon, 19 Nov 2018 23:46:30 +0100Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:31:47 +0100http://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1660.jpghttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/
144Residents of Larkdown in Wantage given what they wantedhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents-of-larkdown-in-wantage-given-what-they-wanted/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents-of-larkdown-in-wantage-given-what-they-wanted/It’ll be a smoother drive on your way down Larkdown in Wantage from now on, thanks to recently completed repairs.

As shown in the pictures, our road repairs team have resurfaced the street to get rid of the tired tarmac and utility trenches that have been troubling local residents for some time. The edge of the resurfaced area will be sealed too – we just didn’t have to time to get a photo of it.

]]>news,roads,highways,transport,wantageTue, 13 Nov 2018 11:30:31 +0000https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_larkdown-wantage-145378.jpg?10000Intrepid council team uncovers what lies beneath Letcombe Regishttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/intrepid-council-team-uncovers-what-lies-beneath-letcombe-regis/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/intrepid-council-team-uncovers-what-lies-beneath-letcombe-regis/Our road repair team has opened up the mystery world that lies beneath Letcombe Regis.

Or, more accurately, they have repaired a broken drain that had been causing a spot of bother. while they didn't find any teenage turtles or any other subterranean inhabitants, they did make a good job of fixing the problem and returning the site to good working order.

]]>news,roads,highways,transport,letcombe regisWed, 07 Nov 2018 11:15:26 +0000https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_letcombeicon-448199.jpg?10000Seesen Way to see resurfacing next weekhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/seesen-way-to-see-resurfacing-next-week/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/seesen-way-to-see-resurfacing-next-week/Work will start soon on another major road resurfacing scheme made possible by Oxfordshire County Council’s extra £10m investment into highway repairs.

Seesen Way in Wantage will be resurfaced with work starting on 29 October for five nights from 8pm until 6am.

The team will be working on an area measuring around 300m including the Grove Street roundabout. This area has been chosen for repair as much of the surface has worn to the point of failure with patching and filling potholes no longer being viable – the new surface will transform the route completely making for a much better ride for all road users. All the work is expected to cost £183,000.

The road will be closed during the work, but reopened each day in time for the morning rush hour. Access will be available to properties where possible.

]]>news,roads,highways,transport,wantageThu, 25 Oct 2018 14:31:35 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_seesenwaywantage.jpg?10000Wantage mobility scooter users train to become the safest in the countyhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wantage-mobility-scooter-users-train-to-become-the-safest-in-the-county/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wantage-mobility-scooter-users-train-to-become-the-safest-in-the-county/Wantage mobility scooter users are at the vanguard of a safety scheme that could soon be rolled out elsewhere in Oxfordshire.

In the five years to December 2017, in Oxfordshire there were 24 people injured while using mobility scooters, and one death.

Nationally, during the same period, 859 mobility scooter users were injured, and there were 41 deaths.

Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service is holding a driver training scheme in Wantage that if successful could be replicated in other parts of the county.

The Wantage workshops aim to raise awareness of the issues users face – such as pavement obstructions, and judging when it is safe to proceed on pedestrian crossings – and improve their driving skills.

Participants get to meet scooter manufacturers to discuss design and safety features, whilst an obstacle course allows them to put driving theory into practice.

Sean Mienie, from Oxfordshire County Council Fire and Rescue Service, said:

“At the county council, we aim to help people live safe, healthy lives and play an active part in their community. These workshops will support mobility scooter users in understanding their responsibilities to the public and teach them how to drive in a safe manner. It’s also the perfect way to make new friends.”

Talking about his vision for the future, Sean added: “I hope this group of mobility scooter users increases so that we can educate more people and learn from their experiences.

“This could be a model for each town or village in our county. It is a fantastic initiative and opportunity. The users enjoy meeting new people and attending the workshops."

Locals are asked to support the scheme by being more considerate, especially in their parking and driving.

The next training workshop takes place at Wantage Fire Station on Tuesday 23 October between 2:30pm to 4pm.

]]>News,Frontpage,Carousel,Safety,Mobility Scooter,Fire & Rescue,WantageTue, 23 Oct 2018 09:01:00 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_photo-mobilityscooter.jpg?10000Oxfordshire Fireworks 2018http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-fireworks-2018/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/oxfordshire-fireworks-2018/The nights are drawing in and Bonfire Night approaches! There are absolutely stacks of brilliant displays across the length and breadth of the county, plenty to choose from!

Organising a fireworks display? Let us know and we’ll list it here. Keep checking back for more great suggestions for bonfire night!

]]>news,frontpage,fireworks,oxfordshire,oxford,banbury,bicester,kidlington,weston on the green,deddington,hanborough,grove,chinnor,checkendon,woodstock,thame,charlbury,bicester,harwel,abingdon,wallingford,dorchester,faringdon,kingham,thame,henley,witney,didcot,bicester,bodicote,wolvercote,kirtlingtonFri, 19 Oct 2018 16:16:00 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_fireworks-display---geograph.org.uk---1424614.jpg?10000Rocking heavy metal cover noisy no more in Wantagehttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/rocking-heavy-metal-cover-noisy-no-more-in-wantage/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/rocking-heavy-metal-cover-noisy-no-more-in-wantage/Ever heard the distinctive clatter of a loose manhole cover as cars drive over it?

Well, if you've ever been driven mad by the sound of metal on metal, there is something you can do about it. Report it online via https://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ and we will take a look and see what we can do.

The pictures here show one such manhole on Ickleton Road in Wantage which, as it turns out, was no longer needed. The team removed it, installed a steel plate and resurfaced the area - now there's no more din!

]]>news,roads,highways,transport,wantageWed, 26 Sep 2018 11:33:29 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_ickletonroadicon-2.png?10000Wantage footway gets the blacktop treatmenthttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wantage-footway-gets-the-blacktop-treatment/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wantage-footway-gets-the-blacktop-treatment/Stockham Way, a well used pedestrian route in Wantage, has been resurfaced by Oxfordshire County Council.

Our team has just finished laying more than 100m of new tarmac and edging making the once rutted path a joy to walk on.

]]>news,wantage,roads,highways,transport,fixingyourstreetsWed, 05 Sep 2018 11:42:58 +0100https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1660.jpg?10000Grove's Woodhill Drive goes back to blackhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/groves-woodhill-drive-goes-back-to-black/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/groves-woodhill-drive-goes-back-to-black/The drive to repair Oxfordshire's roads continues and, as you can see from the photos, Woodhill Drive in Grove is another recipient of our repair team's attention.

Areas of tired tarmac has been cut out, resurfaced, rolled and the edges sealed.

If you want to report a problem on the roads, whether it's a pothole, blocked drain or damaged sign, go to https://fixmystreet.oxfordshire.gov.uk/

]]>news,roads,highways,transport,grove,fixingyourstreetsTue, 04 Sep 2018 11:41:37 +0100https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1660.jpg?10000Cherbury Green in Grove sees potholes patchedhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cherbury-green-in-grove-sees-potholes-patched/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cherbury-green-in-grove-sees-potholes-patched/Our road repair team have been out to Cherbury Green in Grove to tackle potholes and areas of tired road surface.

As you can see from the pictures, the team focussed their efforts on key areas and effectively resurfaced patches. The areas that haven’t been surfaced were found to be in good condition. Working in this way means that money and resources are used efficiently so that more repairs can be made elsewhere on the road network.

Although the pictures don’t show it due them being taken before the end of work, the edges of the resurfaced patches will be sealed and then ‘dusted’ to prevent the sealing paint sticking to wheels and shoes.

]]>news,highways,ltransport,transport,roads,grove,fixingyourstreetsTue, 21 Aug 2018 10:33:09 +0100https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1660.jpg?10000Road hog eats up Wantage tarmachttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/road-hog-eats-up-wantage-tarmac/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/road-hog-eats-up-wantage-tarmac/Our multi-talented Multihog has been out an about in Wantage eating up tired tarmac so that the roads repair team can carry out resurfacing.

The pictures here show how effective the hog is with its road planing tool - one of a number of attachments which also enable it to turn its trotters to drainage and hedge trimming.

]]>news,roads,highways,transport,fix,fixingyourstreets,wantageFri, 17 Aug 2018 09:01:20 +0100https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1660.jpg?10000Zoé completes her year as Council Chairman after defeating cancerhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/zoe-completes-her-year-as-council-chairman-after-defeating-cancer/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/zoe-completes-her-year-as-council-chairman-after-defeating-cancer/Almost four years ago, Councillor Zoé Patrick was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and didn’t know if she’d live – now she’s completing her year as Chairman of Oxfordshire County Council and wants to tell the world that Oxfordshire is thriving and full of inspirational people.

“I talk to people who are about to have the same treatment I had and when they hear what I’ve been doing in one of the most important roles at the council, it gives them the opportunity to see that you can lead a full life following recovery from cancer”, said Zoé.

Fantastic year

Mother and Grandmother, Councillor Patrick, is one of two county councillors for the Grove and Wantage division. She was elected Vice-Chairman of the Council in 2016/17 and became Chairman in 2017/18. The role is the county’s equivalent of a Mayor in a town or city and the holder is the ceremonial head of the council.

She said: “It’s been a fantastic year. I’ve attended over 160 events and people have been so welcoming to receive an official representative with the chain of office, whether from the smallest village or in the city of Oxford. There’s no doubt it helps them feel like they are part of a thriving Oxfordshire as well as being part and parcel of the town, city or village in which they live.”

“Every place is different, but the one thing that binds all our Oxfordshire communities together is that they all want their own particular area to thrive and do well. We are a county of community spirit. Everywhere I have been, I have seen amazing and dedicated volunteers who are passionate about what they do and want to keep working hard because they feel proud of where they live and what they believe in.”

“Some examples I have seen during my year in office have been those dedicated people who took up the offer of start-up funding to help keep children’s centres running; the incredibly inspiring people who were awarded British Empire Medals from the Lord Lieutenant last year; the fantastic public servants who work for the county council and other organisations to whom I was able to give long service awards – all of them love their community in Oxfordshire and prove it through their efforts, day in and day out.”

During her year in office, Councillor Patrick has officiated at events as diverse as the Armed Forces Day flag raising, the annual handing over of the rose at Wittenham Clumps – signifying the continued public access to one of Oxfordshire’s most beautiful areas, and a number of events staged by Oxfordshire’s highly regarded County Music Service.

Zoe said: “I really must say we’ve got an amazing County Music Service with very well trained and skilled young people. It’s been such a privilege to watch them in action out and about the county and beyond.”

“I’ve also represented Oxfordshire at six events at which members of the Royal Family were present including one with the Duke of Cambridge in Oxford. This was during the beginning of my year and Kensington Palace had just announced the new royal baby was due this year so it gave me great pleasure to congratulate Prince William on this news. As my year ends, Prince Louis was born and named – so I’ll always associate being Chairman with Prince Louis.”

“I must also mention our Armed Forces. They are such a prominent part of our lives in Oxfordshire and have contributed to our county in such a positive way. The sad times have always been attending the repatriations at Brize Norton to pay respects on behalf of the citizens of Oxfordshire, which I have done on every occasion until recently. However, in contrast, there have been happy times when I have had the privilege of celebrating 100 years of the RAF with various events including one large gathering of over 800 air cadets over in Windsor last month.”

Inspiring

During her year in office, she was delighted to cut the ribbon at the opening of the newly refurbished central library in Oxford, and met the local famous author Philip Pulman during the event. She said it was an occasion to remember seeing the wonderful facilities which are now on offer to the people in Oxfordshire and beyond.

Zoé has raised nearly £2,000 for charities linked to cancer including Maggie’s Cancer Centre at the Churchill Hospital in Oxford and has volunteered during her year supporting patients recently diagnosed with oesophageal cancer to give them support during their illness and on their way to recovery.

She continued: “One of my final responsibilities was attending the Oxfordshire Company of the Year event at The King’s Centre in Oxford in which British Olympic rower and gold medallist from the 2000 Sydney games, Tim Foster, was inspiring young people to never give up. It rang true for me with what has happened over recent years.

“When I was ill and receiving treatment, I could never have imagined the joy of travelling the length and breadth of this thriving county of ours and meeting its amazing communities. That is precisely what I’ve experienced – and I’ve enjoyed every minute. It has been a great honour for me to represent Oxfordshire County Council and a year I shall always cherish.”

]]>Wantage,chairman,news,carousel,headlines,press,frontpageFri, 11 May 2018 10:57:38 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_zoe6.jpg?10000Who are the women in the Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service? Fighting fires and stereotypeshttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/who-are-the-women-in-the-oxfordshire-fire-and-rescue-service-fighting-fires-and-stereotypes/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/who-are-the-women-in-the-oxfordshire-fire-and-rescue-service-fighting-fires-and-stereotypes/

There are 32 female operational firefighters in Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service. They are mums, shopkeepers, marathon runners - regular people doing extraordinary things.

It is not just about fires and fitness, it’s emergency planning, educating on safety and prevention and safeguarding people in our communities.

For the frontline staff, it’s about fast thinking, putting equipment together, collaborating with other blue light services, being resilient.

The service does a lot more than putting out fires: The clue is in “rescue”, with the Service dealing with a variety of situations like flooding, responding to road, rail and air traffic accidents, dealing with chemical hazards and spills, looking after the vulnerable.

“You don’t have to be the incredible Hulk or Lara Croft, I am neither”, said Rebecca Rimmer. She joined the fire service when she was 21 and never looked back “I would be out with a friend who was a firefighter and she used to be called to incidents and I always wondered about those emergencies, as it all sounded exciting and rewarding.” Rebecca has been with the fire service for 19 years and has two children who are very proud to have a “firefighter mummy”.

“I like helping people and care for people. I joined a station that already had female fire-fighters, but even so, I had never thought about the service being male-dominated. It’s like a second family to me, the friendship and support you receive from colleagues is amazing”. “I am lucky to have a supportive family and great colleagues that I can talk to” said Rebecca.

The main qualities that the fire service is looking for is “determination, enthusiasm, and an open mind. You need to have a positive, nothing can phase me attitude”, she stated.

Shelley Wright is 23 and has been with the fire service for 18 months: “I didn’t know which career path to take and couldn’t see myself in an office job and then I saw a banner for fire service recruitment. It was never mentioned at school as something we could do. When I joined the Wantage fire station there hadn’t been a woman there for five years. When the Chief talked to me recently about being the only woman there and I had forgotten about that - I am just part of the team”.

It’s not all plain sailing. “you do get a bit nervous when you first get alerted, but then the training kicks in” said Shelley. “The main gear weights 25 kilos and that’s without other equipment. However you get all the training you need and one of the advantages that I have in being smaller is that I fit into windows and other places that we need to access”.

Looking at barriers and opening fires station doors

Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service is actively inviting applications from women as part of their wider recruitment campaign. Being a firefighter is a role that women generally don’t consider and there is now a strong focus on tackling the issue and challenging the reasons why women are not applying for the roles available. It all started in April after Simon Furlong became Chief Fire Officer. He explained “We want to inspire more women to join us so we reflect the communities we serve. Our change in approach, the open days and positive action days are already raising the interest from dozens of women wanting to and embrace community safety and firefighting as a career choice. Women can bring a different dimension to the job, the competences are the same but individuals may have a different experience, that’s why we value diversity”,

A 50/50 target is not easy to achieve when you are starting at around 6% of female firefighters in Oxfordshire (which is just above the national average of 5%). In fact, firefighting is one of the most sex-segregated jobs in the UK.

“It’s an ambitious initiative that involves looking at the barriers for recruitment. The first contact a potential recruit has with the fire service is really important and women may feel intimidated at the idea of knocking on the door of a fire station, so we have opened more ways for them to contact us, via social media, taster days etc. We have also arranged for potential recruits to meet with other female fire-fighters for an initial discussion”. Said Clare Sellman, Employee Resourcing and Development Manager. “Our first taster day was held in September and this was for ladies only, the day involved learning about the role in general, meeting role models, trying out the physical tests that form part of the selection day and providing any support and encouragement as required”, Clare Sellman added.

Fireman Sam and firefighter Penny

Rebecca Rimmer is helping in the campaign to recruit more women firefighters. “Some of the fitness aspects of the role can worry our potential female recruits”.. Upper body strength is crucial, many people may be fit, even run marathons, but not have developed that physical side that will allow them to lift ladders, carry weight, drag casualties and other tasks we are required to do”, she said. One way to overcome this being to help people who want to prepare for the assessments or perhaps have failed to reach the standard by a small margin by giving them a fitness programme that they can follow.

This programme has been developed by a firefighter who is also a personal trainer. In addition there are videos online showing the tests here .

“There is the perception that you have to be very young and fit. There is a required standard to ensure safety, however many female firefighters are mums, they come from all backgrounds and a range of ages,” Rebecca said. Parents for instance can become firefighters during the day, while kids are at school, as the day shifts can be amongst the times most difficult to cover.

Leadership support and backing from colleagues is also a key part of integrating women into the fire service. “Kids watch fireman Sam, don’t they? So, the stereotype is there, although there is also the character Penny Morris in the Pontypandy fire brigade. We try to create an environment that is professional and welcoming to everyone, women included. We challenge prejudices, an example being the language that is used: We are not firemen, we are firefighters”, said Steven Anderson, Abingdon Station Manager.

Taster Days for women and recruitment will continue in 2018. Interested, but not sure if it’s for you? Why not attend one of our taster days or have a chat with one of our female firefighters, email: fire.recruitment@oxfordshire.gov.uk to register your interest and we will let you know when the next taster day is running.

We are recruiting whole-time firefighters in January 2018, applications will open on the 8th January and you can find out more about the role and application process here

]]>press,news,Oxfordshire,Wantage,Abingdon,fire and rescue service,recruitment,women,frontpage,Community Safety,feature,featuredFri, 08 Dec 2017 16:36:51 +0000https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_rebeccaandshelley1.jpg?10000Grove layby to be loading only for half the dayhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/grove-layby-to-be-loading-only-for-half-the-day/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/grove-layby-to-be-loading-only-for-half-the-day/A layby on School Lane in Grove is to be made loading-only between 7am – 7pm.

The change comes after a decision made by the county council’s Cabinet member for Environment, Yvonne Constance, following a request made by a local business.

The new restrictions will mean that vehicles servicing the shopping area will be able be unloaded safely and conveniently. The associated costs are being paid for by the business who requested the measures.

]]>news,grove,roads,safety,road safetyThu, 23 Nov 2017 11:05:50 +0000https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1660.jpg?10000What’s Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander!http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/whats-good-for-the-goose-is-good-for-the-gander/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/whats-good-for-the-goose-is-good-for-the-gander/Goosey Wick pioneers new co-funding scheme to expand high-speed broadband to more Oxfordshire communities

Goosey Wick villagers will be the first to harvest the benefits of a new £600,000 Oxfordshire faster broadband fund, led by Oxfordshire County Council and Openreach, as part of the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) programme.

Eleven farms and households in tiny Goosey Wick, near Charney Bassett, will get ultrafast Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) broadband after becoming the first to sign up for the new Better Broadband for Oxfordshire co-funding initiative. FTTP is capable of download speeds of up to one Gigabit per second (Gbps) – about 1,000 times faster than the village’s current speeds.

The partnership allocated £600,000 in total from efficiency savings elsewhere in the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire roll-out to co-fund projects like the one in Goosey Wick.

Under the scheme, the county council will contribute up to £1,700 per premise*, with Openreach – the business responsible for Britain’s largest telephone and broadband network – carrying out the upgrade work. The co-funding programme aims to bring high-speed broadband to more of the county’s smallest, remote communities not yet earmarked for any public or private sector roll-outs, by sharing the infrastructure and installation costs, which would otherwise be too expensive.

Goosey Wick residents have kept the costs down even more by offering to use their own equipment to do some of the digging. The project at Goosey Wick is a major engineering challenge involving the installation of around 13 kilometres of fibre optic cabling by engineers from Openreach. The arrival of ultrafast broadband in around 12 months’ time will be a welcome boost for local farmers who are diversifying into new fields, including letting out cottages, and other residents wanting the option of working from home.

Local resident Philip Campbell, who co-ordinated the community’s application, said: “We’re so pleased Oxfordshire County Council highlighted the availability of the grant scheme and that Openreach are going to be doing the engineering work to connect us. I would certainly encourage other communities in a similar situation to look into the scheme.”

His wife, Jill, added: “The new fibre service will make such a difference to the lives of the people of all ages who live and work here, including younger members of the community who rely on the internet for so much of their studies and homework these days.”

Oxfordshire County Councillor David Bartholomew, Cabinet member for Finance (Broadband and Communications), said: “We’re on track for superfast broadband to reach 96 per cent of Oxfordshire premises by the end of 2018, but rolling out high-speed broadband to the final four per cent is challenging and needs new and innovative solutions.

“Our co-funding scheme is just one of the ways we’re working hard to enable more communities to access this vital technology, and contributing to our ambition to make Oxfordshire one of the best-served counties in the UK for digital infrastructure.

“We want to hear from any other communities who might be interested in taking part in our co-funding scheme.”

Steve Haines, Openreach’s managing director of next generation access, said: “We know how vital fast internet is to communities. Bringing new technology to tiny, remote communities like Goosey Wick can be challenging and expensive, which is why co-funding initiatives like this one are becoming increasingly popular.

“Whether it’s streaming TV in the home, doing homework online, or downloading large files in the office – superfast broadband makes doing anything online faster. With a choice of many broadband providers and the variety of services and prices they offer, the Openreach network provides real choice.”

*Subject to terms and conditions outlined on the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire website.

Issued by Oxfordshire County Council and BT on behalf of the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire partnership.

About Better Broadband for Oxfordshire

Better Broadband for Oxfordshire is a partnership between Oxfordshire County Council, BT and BDUK.

The first phase of the programme was comprised of £25 million of funding: £10m from Oxfordshire County Council, £4m from the Government (Broadband Delivery UK) and £11m from BT. Engineering work on this phase began in August 2013 with the first homes and businesses going live in December 2013.

Further funding of £5.1 million to roll out fibre broadband was announced in February 2015 and construction work began last year. Funding was made up of £1 million from South Oxfordshire District Council, £500,000 from Cherwell District Council, £250,000 from the Vale of the White Horse District Council, £200,000 from Oxfordshire County Council, £1.2m from BT, and a further £1.95m from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Superfast Extension Programme (SEP).

Additional funding of £5.58 million was announced in November 2015. This will increase the percentage of county homes and businesses able to get superfast fibre broadband to more than 95 per cent when combined with earlier phases of the Better Broadband for Oxfordshire programme and the private sector’s commercial roll-out of the technology. This funding comprises: £2 million from the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP); £120,000 from the South East Midlands LEP and Cherwell District Council; £168,000 from Oxford City Council; £2.2 million from the Government’s Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) programme and £1.1 million from BT. When combined the additional funding adds a further 12,000 premises to the programme.

Better Broadband for Oxfordshire has now completed its planned work in West Oxfordshire. Further roll-out is being carried out here by Cotswold Broadband, which is separate from Better Broadband for Oxfordshire.

About Superfast Britain

Superfast Britain is a Government programme of investment in broadband and communication infrastructure across the UK. Run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, this investment helps businesses to grow, creates jobs and will make Britain more competitive in the global race. The portfolio is comprised of three elements:

Openreach is Britain’s digital network business. That means we connect homes, mobile phone masts, schools, shops, banks, hospitals, libraries, broadcasters, governments and businesses – large and small – to the world. It’s our mission to build the best possible network with the highest quality service, and make sure that everyone in Britain can be connected.

Our 30,400 people work on behalf of more than 580 communications providers like Sky, Talk Talk, Vodafone, Plusnet, EE and BT. Our fibre broadband network is the biggest in the UK, covering more than 26.8 million premises. And our technology is the basis of Britain’s thriving digital economy, which is the largest in the G20 as a proportion of GDP.

We’re working hard to give people the broadband speeds they need at work and at home. Over the last decade, we’ve invested more than £11bn into our network. And we now manage more than 158 million kilometres of cable stretching from Scotland to Cornwall, and from Wales to the east coast. But we’re not stopping there – we’re making superfast broadband speeds available to thousands more homes and businesses every week.

We’re an independently governed business within the BT Group. Our business is highly regulated, and more than 90 per cent of our revenue comes from services that are regulated by Ofcom. Any company can access our products under the same prices, terms and conditions.

BT’s purpose is to use the power of communications to make a better world. It is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in 180 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband, TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed-mobile products and services. BT consists of six customer-facing lines of business: Consumer, EE, Business and Public Sector, Global Services, Wholesale and Ventures, and Openreach.

For the year ended 31 March 2017, BT Group’s reported revenue was £24,062m with reported profit before taxation of £2,354m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.

A highlight that’s not to be missed, Oxford’s festive season has a dazzling start with the annual Christmas Light Festival weekend, one of the most exciting events held in the city centre. There are lots of fun events for everyone, as well as a festive market and food stalls.

28 November, 6-9pm, Free (Adults only)Your chance to make a lantern to be used in Faringdon’s Live Nativity with artist Emily Cooling. Adults only 20 places on a first come first served basis. Your Lantern will be used as part of the performance but will be available for collection after the event. All materials provided

On Friday 1 December 2017, Thame will host its annual community Christmas event which typically attracts thousands of local residents and families all looking to spoil themselves or their loved ones with good food and great gifts, not to mention the lantern parade and fantastic selection of entertainment and attractions on offer, including the return of our popular Santa’s Grotto and Go-Karts! We will also be hosting a human-sized snow globe, for you and your family to take photos in and play in the snow!

The Christmas market in the Wheat barn and Barley Barn will have over 60 stalls from local businesses, crafters and makers offering hand-made gifts, rural crafts, festive decor, and local produce, cakes, pies, speciality local beers and ciders, gift bags and hampers.

The biggest and most magical Christmas market in West Oxfordshire, with over 50 stalls selling hand-made, ethically sourced or local crafts and gifts, locally produced and organic food items. The entire market is under cover and there will be musical entertainment throughout the afternoon. Santa Claus for the children, hot mulled wine and a bar for the grown-ups, cakes, teas - come and enjoy.

As well as the Christmas Festival in the Town Centre there’s also the Wallingford Santa Dash at Wallingford School, Join hundreds of Santas and run, walk or sleigh ride your way on this 3km run from Wallingford School to the Market Place.

This Christmas, for one night only, the centre of Faringdon will be transformed into Bethlehem! Faringdon Town Council has partnered with Faringdon Dramatic Society, Faringdon All Saints’, Faringdon Baptist Church and many other local organisations and community members in order to create a spectacular nativity for everyone to come and see. The Faringdon Town Nativity will take place on Friday 8th December, in the market square at 6pm and will include live acting, live singing, spectacular lightning and sound, beautiful lanterns, a donkey and three real camels!

There will be lots of fun things to do in the Library this afternoon between 2.30pm and 4.00pm. Festive makes, wordsearches, songs and stories. Suggested age 4-9 years, although younger or older siblings are more than welcome if they want to come along.

What have we missed?

There are so many brilliant events across the county that no doubt a few have fallen off our list! If you know of an event that’s somehow slipped us by, let us know the details in the comments below!

Not long to go before Christmas Markets start to appear across the county, and festive lights brighten up the night. We've scoured the interwebs for details of events across Oxfordshire to look forward to!

]]>remembrance,roads,transport,community,poppy,thame,witney,didcot,abingdon,chipping norton,burford,carterton,faringdon,marcham,kennington,goring,woodstock,wantage,wallingford,benson,chinnor,henley,charlbury,didcot,harwell,grove,godstow,oxford,frontpageWed, 08 Nov 2017 09:14:10 +0000https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_shutterstock-143922229remembrance17.jpg?10000Help someone get online – be a Digital Helper at your local libraryhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/help-someone-get-online--be-a-digital-helper-at-your-local-library/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/help-someone-get-online--be-a-digital-helper-at-your-local-library/Oxfordshire County Council recently launched a campaign to recruit ‘digital helpers’ in libraries to boost the confidence and skills of those who need extra help to get online.

Volunteers able to give up just a few hours a week are being sought at branches across the county to provide one-to-one support for people with little or no experience of using computers or the internet.

The aim of the campaign is to help people:

access services online – including council services

access employment or training opportunities

become more independent

reduce isolation

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale said: “This is a really important campaign which has the potential to transform people’s lives using the power of community support and the friendly, informal environment of our libraries.

“There are many people – not just older people - who have little experience of computers or the internet, or who lack the confidence to access information and services online. Learning new digital skills can open important new doors, including the ability to learn how to use email and search for jobs online, helping improve people’s confidence and employability prospects.”

She added: “You don’t have to be a computer expert to volunteer as a digital helper – you just need to be fairly confident with basic technology and willing to give up a few hours at a time convenient to you. We want to hear from anyone who enjoys working with learners of all ages and has the patience and communication skills to provide some friendly support.”

Case Study: Peter and Brian

Peter has been going to digital helper sessions for six months at Grove Library, and has developed new skills and confidence which he hopes could lead to new employment opportunities.

He said: “I used to have a job where I didn’t use computers but now we’re in the computer age. The sessions are helping me to learn things, so hopefully I’ll be able to get a job. I didn’t know how to use email at all and Brian has been really supportive. It’s also given me confidence to use my computer by myself without needing someone else there showing me how to do it.”

Digital helper Brian said: “With the move to more and more things going online, some people can perhaps feel digitally isolated. By doing this and encouraging them I can help give them a little bit of confidence to give it a try. It’s two hours a week and it’s easy to fit in. If anyone’s interested in volunteering, I’d say come along and give it a go - most of the questions aren’t that hard!”

]]>press,news,frontpage,Grove,community,education,leisure and culture,libraries,digital,dorchesterTue, 17 Oct 2017 07:21:19 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_digitalhelpers.jpg?10000New facility for goods vehicles in School Lane, Grovehttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/new-facility-for-goods-vehicles-in-school-lane-grove/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/new-facility-for-goods-vehicles-in-school-lane-grove/People in Grove are being asked for their views on a proposal to create a 10 metre long goods vehicles only loading bay in School Lane for the use of nearby stores and businesses.

The bay would be located on an existing layby on the south side of the road and would operate between 7am and 7pm on all days with a maximum stay of one hour and no return within one hour. Outside these hours the proposal is that there will be no restriction on parking.

They can also be viewed at County Hall, New Road in Oxford or at Grove Library, Millbrook.

Objections and representations should be received by November 10 by writing to Trafic Regulation Team (Ref. CM/12.6.129), Strategic Director for Infrastructure Delivery, County Hall, Oxford, OX1 1ND

]]>Grove,highways,news,press,headlinesThu, 12 Oct 2017 13:16:44 +0100https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1660.jpg?10000A week of recycling advice across southern Oxfordshirehttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/a-week-of-recycling-advice-across-southern-oxfordshire/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/a-week-of-recycling-advice-across-southern-oxfordshire/Ever wondered what to do with McDonalds paper cups that can’t be recycled? That was one of the tips given to people in southern Oxfordshire as part of National Recycle Week by council officers who toured the area.

Oxfordshire County Council, South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse staff have been attending events every day to promote recycling, reducing and re-using and generally answering queries from residents.

At Charlton Park Garden Centre in Wantage Jude Owen a Master Composter gave useful advice on how to make good compost and some very particular advice on how to re-use McDonalds paper cups in the garden as, sadly, they cannot be recycled.

On another day, Linda Brawn, a LFHW (Love Food Hate Waste) champion, joined officers Asda Wheatley. Linda was encouraging residents to produce less food waste and a top tip from the day was using the tops of leeks and potato peelings to make leek and potato soup.

Venues attended are listed below

Charlton Park Garden Centre, Wantage

Waitrose in Faringdon

Tesco in Henley

Asda in Wheatley

Waitrose in Wallingford

Market Place, Abingdon (Abingdon Local excellence market)

]]>Wantage,Faringdon,Henley,Wheatley,Wallingford,Abingdon,waste and recycling,news,press,headlinesTue, 03 Oct 2017 10:28:33 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_recycleforoxfordshire.jpg?10000New era for daytime support in Oxfordshirehttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/new-era-for-daytime-support-in-oxfordshire/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/new-era-for-daytime-support-in-oxfordshire/A new system of delivering daytime support services in Oxfordshire is all set to come in to operation on October 1 with the council aiming to ensure that core services are secure for the future. Eight new centres will provide support for more than 500 older people or people with a learning disability who have been assessed as having an eligible need and some other people who do not have an assessed need.

The changes follow a consultation with service users and their families in late 2016 in which they were given the opportunity to have a wide-ranging input in to how the new service should take shape.

Within the council’s new £4.5m service there are 1,600 days of support per week (3,200 sessions) being provided across the eight locations.

Each of the eight centres will have its own fleet of family-size vehicles, some of which will be adapted. These will be used to transport people to and from the centres and will be driven by staff from the Community Support Service. The council has set up a special hub to ensure a smooth transition during the early days of the new system.

There will be a number of options for meals, including: staff supporting people to eat out at a local café, cooking as part of a small group, paying towards a group meal prepared by others, a simple hot meal prepared by staff, and people bringing in their own pre-prepared meal or light lunch if they wish to.

Oxfordshire County Council has been working with each person currently using council services to support them through the change. This has been achieved through council staff working in partnership with Age UK Oxfordshire’s Community Information Network.

Support is being personalised, meaning that staff have been working with people to plan their support to meet their individual needs.

Age UK Oxfordshire’s Community Information Network have worked with people who had been accessing directly-run county council day centres and who weren’t known to adult social care to help them find alternative solutions in Oxfordshire’s thriving voluntary and community sector.

Director for Adult Social Care Kate Terroni said: “As demand for social care grows and government funding reduces, we are making sure that our core service is secure for the future. We’ve been working hard on this change during 2017 and we’re looking forward to the new service bedding in.

“We always said that people with eligible needs would be offered a place at the eight new council run centres and that is exactly what we have delivered. Indeed the 508 people assessed as having eligible needs in the new system is higher than the 471 attending the previous network of 22 daytime support facilities.

“Oxfordshire’s voluntary sector daytime support network is strong and well respected. There are around 200 facilities and we have been working with Age UK’s Community Information Network to ensure that people who attended our 22 centres without having an eligible need have been offered alternative arrangements.”

Penny Thewlis, Chief Executive of Age UK Oxfordshire, said: “This has been a big change for some people, many of whom have been anxious and unsettled by it. We’ve worked very closely with the county council over recent months and with people affected by the change to ensure that nobody is left without daytime support options. We will continue to do so over the coming months until everyone is happily settled. Now we need to give the new system time to take shape and bed in.”

Where are the eight centres?

Audlett Drive, Abingdon

Neithrop Avenue, Banbury

Launton Road, Bicester

Britwell Road, Didcot

Agward Stone Road, Horspath Driftway, Oxford

High Street, Wallingford

Charlton Village Road, Wantage

Moorland Road, Witney

]]>Abingdon,Banbury,Bicester,Didcot,Oxford,Wallingford,Wantage,Witney,press,news,headlines,adult social careThu, 28 Sep 2017 14:58:21 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_shutterstock-41074129-2.jpg?10000‘Try One Thing’ online at Wantage Libraryhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/try-one-thing-online-at-wantage-library/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/try-one-thing-online-at-wantage-library/Wantage Library is teaming up with local partners to boost the confidence and skills of anyone needing extra help to ‘Get Online’.

A series of drop-in events is taking place during national Get Online Week- Monday 2nd to Saturday 7th October – with sessions run by Abingdon & Witney College, Soha Housing, Age UK and the county council’s Highways and Library teams.

Visitors can find out how to access information and council services online, or take the ‘Try One Thing’ bingo challenge - attempting something on the internet that they would normally do offline.

This might include their first:

online shopping experience

video call with friends or relatives

online appointment

online job search

There’s no need to book - visitors can turn up any time during the week to see what’s going on.

New skills

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale said: “This is a great example of community organisations working with the council to help local people adapt to new ways of doing things - and to ensure they feel supported and reassured.

“With community help, customers can transform how they access local services and take away new skills which have the potential to transform their lives – including finding new ways to communicate with family and friends.”

Wider efforts

The scheme is part of wider efforts to support people to access local services online at the council’s 43 branches – putting libraries at the heart of their communities as the ‘front door’ to council services.

Cllr Lindsay-Gale added: “Right across the county, our 43 libraries are the visible front door of Oxfordshire County Council, and the ideal place for people across our different communities to access our services online using the public computers and free wi-fi.”

]]>press,news,frontpage,featured,leisure and culture,libraries,WantageWed, 27 Sep 2017 10:51:47 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_computer3.jpg?10000Wallingford, Wantage and The Baldons are the focus for continuing streetlighting improvement workhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wallingford-wantage-and-the-baldons-are-the-focus-for-continuing-streetlighting-improvement-work/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/wallingford-wantage-and-the-baldons-are-the-focus-for-continuing-streetlighting-improvement-work/Oxfordshire County Council’s £3.8m programme to improve 3,200 streetlights in the county continues in Wantage, Wallingford and The Baldons from October 2.The streetlights are being replaced with new steel columns and higher quality LED light solution which also reduces energy and future on-going maintenance requirements.

The streets where work is scheduled to take place from Monday, October 2 are:

The Baldons

GOLDEN BALLS ROUNDABOUT

Wantage

CHARLTON ROAD

Wantage

GARSTON LANE

Wantage

WALLINGFORD STREET

Wallingford

CASTLE STREET

Wallingford

HIGH STREET

Wallingford

STATION ROAD

Wallingford

WINTERBROOK

The finance for the scheme as a whole comes from a £2.8m central Government grant and £1m of Oxfordshire County Council capital funding.

]]>Toot Baldon,Marsh Baldon,Wallingford,Wantage,highways,news,press,headlinesWed, 27 Sep 2017 09:27:25 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_streetlights-2.jpg?10000Free electric blanket testing offered as the winter months approachhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/free-electric-blanket-testing-offered-as-the-winter-months-approach/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/free-electric-blanket-testing-offered-as-the-winter-months-approach/People in Oxfordshire who have electric blankets to keep them warm on Autumn and Winter nights are being urged to get them tested for freeAs the autumn is approaching and the temperature is getting colder, Oxfordshire County Council Trading Standards & Fire and Rescue Services are offering free testing of such blankets to ensure people have a warm, safe winter.

Blanket testing is taking place at the following locations during October:

Oxford - Monday 2 October

Banbury - Tuesday 3 October

Witney - Wednesday 4 October

Wallingford - Thursday 5 October

Abingdon - Friday 6 October

Oxford - Monday 16 October

Bicester - Tuesday 17 October

Chipping Norton - Wednesday 18 October

Thame - Thursday 19 October

Wantage - Friday 20 October

Councillor Judith Heathcoat, Oxfordshire County Council’s Deputy Leader, said: ““I urge people to book their place at one of the testing days. As the cold winter months approach, many people will be dusting off their electric blankets ready for use.

"If the condition of the blanket is allowed to deteriorate there is the possibility that it could have become faulty, which could lead to injury and fire.

“We want to ensure that they are still safe for use, so come along and encourage any elderly neighbours to attend too. It is better to be safe than sorry.”

In 2016 831 blankets were tested and 177 blankets failed, a rate of 21%.

They have created a display of around 50 colourful pictures showing different animals disguised as secret agents with sunglasses and hats.

The Friends of Grove Library generously agreed to give every child who took part a prize of an animal story book - and these were awarded by the Friends group's former Chairman, Brian Edwards. Fifteen children (pictured) attended the ceremony, and enjoyed pointing out their animal agent on the display.

Any child who took part and did not collect their prize at the event on Saturday (2 September) can collect it when they're next in the library.

]]>frontpage,press,news,children,education,parents,Children education and families,young people,families,leisure and culture,libraries,Grove,featuredMon, 04 Sep 2017 11:56:16 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_animalartprizes1.jpg?10000Firefighters join cause to raise money for Oliver Cameronhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/firefighters-join-cause-to-raise-money-for-oliver-cameron/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/firefighters-join-cause-to-raise-money-for-oliver-cameron/On 29th July 2017 crews from Wantage fire station will be hosting a charity car wash and cake sale to raise money for a local desperately sick child.

Oliver Cameron who lives in Wantage was born with a large tumour in his heart that causes his pulse to elevate to dangerously high levels that could ultimately kill him.

Oliver needs this tumour removed urgently and the only place that this operation can take place is in Boston, America at the Boston Children’s Hospital. Desperate mum Lydia, 28, and dad Tim,30, have the daunting task of raising £150,000 pounds which will cover the cost of this life saving operation. Unfortunately, the NHS don’t have the expertise to operate on Oliver.

Currently Oliver lives with a fitted heart rate monitor that communicates directly with Southampton Hospital and due to the frequent attacks that Oliver has Lydia and Tim live in constant fear that the next attack will be the last.

The crew from Wantage will be hosting a Charity Carwash to try to help raise money for Oliver. Watch Manager Sean Mienie from Wantage Fire station said “We feel really saddened by the desperate situation that Oliver is in and we will do whatever we can to support the family. Although we know that £200 000 is a lot of money to raise every little helps in reaching the total so we can help get little Oliver well. I have two young girls of my own and I can’t even begin to imagine the stress that Lydia and Tim must feel daily.”

The carwash will take place on Saturday 29th July between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. at Wantage Fire station in Ormond Road, Wantage. Oliver needs your help so please support us in this event and come and meet your local Firefighters or you can donate at http://www.gofundme.com/oliversheartsurgery

]]>fire and rescue,news,charity,fundraising,car wash,wantage,frontpage,featured,care,childrenWed, 26 Jul 2017 09:44:00 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_wantagefirecarwash.jpg?10000Grove airfield development given the go aheadhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/grove-airfield-development-given-the-go-ahead/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/grove-airfield-development-given-the-go-ahead/Building work on the long-awaited Grove Airfield development could get underway soon.

Plans for up to 2,500 homes on the old airfield at Grove have been officially granted outline planning permission after Persimmon Homes and Taylor Wimpey signed a legal agreement with Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire County Council that sets out the infrastructure the developers will provide to support the new housing.

The airfield site is over 140 hectares in size, 64 hectares of which will be built upon. The development will include new schools for children at both primary and secondary school age, a community hub, a local centre for shops and other community facilities, a community park, playing fields and an ecology park. It will also include around 800 affordable homes.

The next stage is for the developers to submit detailed planning applications and once those are approved, building can begin.

Cllr Ian Hudspeth, Leader of Oxfordshire County Council said: “This agreement brings lots of key infrastructure and funding to support the housing growth. As well as land for new schools, the agreement secures over £40m towards new primary and secondary education facilities and key road infrastructure (Wantage Eastern Link Road). We look forward to the delivery of key infrastructure to support this much needed housing growth.”

Cllr Matthew Barber, Leader of Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “We are very pleased to have got to this stage – a lot of work and effort has gone into this from all parties. The expansion of Grove in the 60s and 70s gave thousands of families the opportunity to find a home of their own, in a good neighbourhood in the Vale. The airfield development will provide that opportunity to their children and grandchildren.”

Richard Briggs, managing director for Persimmon Homes Wessex, said: “We are delighted to have been granted outline planning for this new development which will bring much-needed starter and family homes to Oxfordshire.”

]]>Frontpage,news,press,Grove,Vale of White Horse,Housing,Infrastructure,Roads,Schools,Oxfordshire,Growth,Feature,Growth,Planning,Funding,Government,WantageMon, 17 Jul 2017 18:01:21 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_de80eckwsaembsp.jpeg?10000Changes proposed on Denchworth Road and Newlands Drive, Grovehttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/changes-proposed-on-denchworth-road-and-newlands-drive-grove/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/changes-proposed-on-denchworth-road-and-newlands-drive-grove/People are to be asked for views on proposals to make changes to roads in Grove in response to the development of land near Denchworth Road. The proposed changes include:

extending the 30mph speed limit on Denchworth Road, southwards to the Mably Way roundabout,

removing two current sections of road from use by motor vehicles only; at the northern end of Denchworth Road and at the westernmost end of Cane Lane (which are being made redundant due to a realignment of Denchworth Road and a new junction being constructed on Cane Lane). There would however continue to be rights of way for pedestrians and cyclists on the closed sections of highway.

constructing traffic calming features on Newlands Drive; comprising of six flat top road humps at various side-road junctions and four pairs of speed cushions along its length.

]]>Grove,highways,consultation,press,news,headlinesThu, 13 Jul 2017 10:11:58 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_speedcushions-2.jpg?10000More community groups to receive funding for open-access children’s services http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/more-community-groups-to-receive-funding-for-open-access-childrens-services/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/more-community-groups-to-receive-funding-for-open-access-childrens-services/Start-up funding for a further ten community schemes to run open access services at children’s centres has been approved by Oxfordshire County Council.The proposals, which stand to receive a total of £258,458, are the latest to be considered as part of the transition from council-funded to community-led services at children’s centre locations.

Community services will complement the council’s new service for 0-19 year-olds, which will meet the needs and aspirations of children at risk of abuse and neglect in Oxfordshire, and ensure that families who need extra help are identified at an early stage.

Total adds up

When added to previously considered applications, the approval of these latest proposals would give a total of 25 funded community schemes for services such as ‘stay and play’ to continue at children’s centres across the county.

On top of this, open access sessions are continuing at the Children and Family Centres and satellite centres at the heart of the council’s new Children’s Service.

Fantastic response

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Local Communities Councillor Mark Gray said: “Over the last year we have seen a tremendous response from local communities who have taken up the baton for the delivery of open access children’s services across the county.

“In many cases what parents will see when they come into these centres will be little different from when they were fully funded by the council, and that’s testament to the commitment and hard work of local people who have made this happen.”

He added: “It has never been the council’s desire to see children’s centres close, and through the transition fund we have worked alongside a large number of community groups to help them bring their plans to fruition.”

]]>Ambrosden,Grove,Wantage,Oxford,Henley,Abingdon,Bicester,Thame,Botley,Carterton,Bloxham,Wallingford,Wheatley,Hampton Poyle,Kidlington,Faringdon,Witney,Banbury,Didcot,Chipping Norton,Berinsfield,Chalgrove,Watlington,children's centres,frontpageTue, 20 Jun 2017 15:24:46 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_carteronfamilycentreopens2.jpg?10000Councillor Zoe Patrick of Grove & Wantage elected new Oxfordshire County Council Chairmanhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/councillor-zoe-patrick-of-grove--wantage-elected-new-oxfordshire-county-council-chairman/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/councillor-zoe-patrick-of-grove--wantage-elected-new-oxfordshire-county-council-chairman/Oxfordshire County Council has elected a new Chairman for the 2017/18 council year.Councillor Zoe Patrick, one of the council’s elected representative for Grove & Wantage, has taken over the role from Councillor Michael Waine who served for the 2016/17 council year.

She has lived in Grove for more than year 30 years. She is married to Glenn, a particle physicist, with two grown-up children and two grandchildren. Councillor Patrick has been a councillor for 20 years, serving on both the Vale of White Horse District Council and Oxfordshire County Council. She is a school governor at Charlton Primary School in Wantage. Her interests include the theatre, walking, reading and wildlife. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

She said : “Having served as Vice Chairman to Cllr Michael Waine during 2016/17 and as a county councillor for many years I am aware of what this important job involves.

“I hope to visit many Oxfordshire localities to see those areas through the eyes of local county councillors.

“An ongoing part of my year will be to fully understand the work of outstanding county staff and assure them of our appreciation.

“It is an honour and privilege to be elected to this role and to follow in the footsteps of a host of highly respected county councillors to undertake this job since the council was formed in the 1970s.”

New Deputy Chairman

Councillor Gill Sanders has been elected to the role of Vice Chairman. Councillor Sanders represents Rose Hill and Littlemore in Oxford.

Gill has lived in Oxford for more than 40 years and has been an Oxford City Councillor for 25 years. She had been an HR and Administration Manager from a city comprehensive school and worked Oxfordshire schools for 25 years all told. Her special interests are working to ensure adequate and appropriate provision for young and older people.

What is the role of the Chairman?

The chairman is the ceremonial head of the council. The chairman must be a serving county councillor, but must remain politically impartial. A chairman must not be a member of the Cabinet.

Ceremonial duties include:• being the politically impartial civic leader of Oxfordshire• promoting the objectives and services of the county council and Oxfordshire itself• acting as an ambassador for the county council and Oxfordshire• fostering community identity and pride.

Key responsibilities include:• presiding over meetings of the full council• accepting invitations on behalf of the county council to attend events• inviting individuals and representatives

]]>press,news,oxford,Wantage,groveWed, 17 May 2017 13:08:06 +0100https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1660.jpg?10000Vast majority of voluntary day centres set for transition funding from Septemberhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/vast-majority-of-voluntary-day-centres-set-for-transition-funding-from-september/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/vast-majority-of-voluntary-day-centres-set-for-transition-funding-from-september/Day centres across Oxfordshire are set to be benefit from more than £300,000 of transitional funding as the county looks forward to a new, sustainable model of daytime support that helps people to live independent and fulfilling lives. Earlier this year the council decided to reconfigure its own directly provided service and come up with a new system for supporting voluntary sector providers.

In total there are around 200 voluntary sector daytime support providers for older people and people with disabilities in Oxfordshire. In excess of 150 of these operate without any financial support from the county council. More than 40 currently receive funding that covers some or all of their costs.

The council wants to support as many of these services as possible to continue, but recognises this is a decision for those organisations. The vast majority have applied for transition funding from the £300,000 budget set aside by council in February. Only six have not bid for funding, two of them because they decided they are ready to continue without support from the council.

All but one were assessed by the cross-party panel as meeting the criteria to receive funding, and a final decision will be taken by the county council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Judith Heathcoat, on April 19.

The transition funding will support these voluntary sector providers from September to March, as they action their plans to become more self-sustaining. Later in 2017 they will once again be able to bid for £250,000 of transitional funding in 2018/19, as well as funding from two further grants pots – a Sustainability Fund and an Innovation Fund.

Which services are proposed for transition funding

Age UK run day centres are proposed for a combined £98,000 of funding:

Daybreak Oxford run day centres are proposed for a combined £50,000 of funding:

The Lilacs, Kidlington

The Limes, Oxford

Rosewood, Oxford

Other providers:

Berinsfield Voluntary Day Centre £10,106

Bromsgrove Day Centre, Faringdon £6,800

Carterton Day Centre £9,500

Chalgrove Day Centre £8,000

Charlbury Day Centre £3,742

Chinnor Day Centre £8,000

Cluster Care Group, Banbury £4,500

Eynsham Day Centre £2,625

Goring and District Community Centre Lunch Club £2,900

Grove Day Centre for the Elderly £7,000

Hanborough and District Day Centre £6,378

Highlands Day Centre, Chipping Norton £5,000

Hook Norton Day Centre, £2,625

The October Club, Wantage £14,000

Chinese Community Day Centre, Oxford £7978

Happy Place Day Centre, Oxford £3,300

Cornhill, Banbury £2,625

West Way Day Centre, Botley £5,466

St Mary’s Thursday Club, Bloxham £4,786

Stonesfield Lunch Club £2,906

Thame and District Day Centre £12,500

The Thursday Social Club, Watlington £2,500

Watlington and District Age Concern Drop In £1,500

Windmill Thursday Club/Deddington Day Centre £5,000

Wychwoods Day Centre £3,390

Volunteer Link Up £14,625

The services who have decided they do not need to bid to continue to operate

Bampton Bush Day Centre

Fielding Lunch Club, Sibford Gower

The services who have not made a bid

Leonard Cheshire Disability (open access self-help group)

Leonard Cheshire Disability (Tryard Disability Group)

Order of St John, Lake House, Adderbury

The Alzheimers Society, Abingdon service

Cholsey Day Centre does not quality for funding as it has reserves of £340,000.

The information provided in the application for Marston Court, provided by Order of St John Care Trust, was not sufficient to evaluate the bid. Further information has been requested.

How will the council’s own service be configured?

The county council is continuing to provide a core service for people who are eligible for social care support, which makes sure they have the care and support they need. This is planned to be a countywide service with an annual budget of £4.5m and a wide range of flexible, costed support options. The council will replace its current Health and Wellbeing Centres and Learning Disability Daytime Support services (22 building-based services) with eight new bases at the Abbey Centre, Abingdon; Redlands in Banbury; Bicester Health and Wellbeing Centre; The Meadows in Didcot; Oxford Options; High Street, Wallingford; Witney Resource Centre and the Charlton Centre in Wantage.

These bases will run from October and would be subject to ongoing review in terms of locations. People with different needs will be supported in the same buildings but there would be a range of different spaces and facilities to meet different needs and interests.

The plans include transport to and from services for everybody who is eligible for it or who chooses to purchase it.

The council-funded Dementia Support Service provides support to people with dementia and their families across Oxfordshire through Dementia Advisors. It provides face-to-face support to an average of 120 people per week. This service will continue to be funded.

The council-funded Wellbeing and Employment Service, “OxForward” provides support to people over the age of 18 with learning disabilities, autism and physical disabilities. It supports 700 people each year providing opportunities such as moving in to and maintaining volunteering roles and employment. This will continue with its existing budget.

The council will continue to work with the Age UK provided Community Information Network service. The Community Information Network is working with people affected by the changes, to help manage a personalised transition from current daytime support services for those people who do not have eligible needs/ who choose not to use the new service.

In addition the council will be permanently investing £25,000 a year in training for services around dementia and autism and £100,000 a year in enabling people to make choices about the use of their personal budgets.

]]>Oxford,Henley,Burford,Kidlington,Hinton Waldrist,Faringdon,Holton,Kidlington,Berinsfield,Carterton,Chalgrove,Charlbury,Chinnor,Banbury,Eynsham,Goring,Grove,Hanborough,Chipping Norton,Hook Norton,Wantage,Botley,Bloxham,Stonesfield,Thame,Watlington,Deddington,Bampton,Sibford Gower,Adderbury,Cholsey,social and health care,adult social careTue, 11 Apr 2017 09:25:17 +0100https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_sharedlives.jpg?10000Library service reveals short story contest winnershttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/library-service-reveals-short-story-contest-winners/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/library-service-reveals-short-story-contest-winners/Two engaging tales of the unexpected have won the Oxfordshire Libraries 2017 short story competition – earning countywide exposure for their authors.

Grove resident Jez Fernandez (main picture) triumphed in the adult category with ‘Time of Death’, a brilliant tale with a twist, centring on the surprising things found floating down a river.

The winner of the young adult category was Abingdon and Witney College student Eleanor Launchbury. Her story ‘Connected’ explores the idea of people coming together in unexpected places.

The winning titles are both now available for free on the library Overdrive eBook service. Library members can access them by visiting www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ebooks and selecting ‘Overdrive’.

“Ecstatic”

Mr Fernandez, who works as a professional trainer and coach, said: “This was the first short story I’d written since school and I'm ecstatic to have won this competition. I can also officially call myself a ‘prize-winning author’, which was one of my objectives!”

Miss Launchbury added: “I enjoy writing and am really glad to have won the Oxfordshire Libraries Short Story Competition 2017. I love reading, and have been a library member all my life, so it has been really great to be a winner.”

Young Adult category winner Eleanor launchbury

Popular read

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Cultural Services Lorraine Lindsay-Gale said: “Last year’s winners were some of the most-read eBooks available from our libraries and I’m sure Jez and Eleanor’s work will be similarly popular with readers this year.

“I’d like to congratulate them both on their fantastic stories, which saw off some pretty stiff competition from budding authors who entered the competition from right across Oxfordshire.”

Both authors hope to go on writing in the future. Anyone wanting to see what made them this year’s outstanding wordsmiths can read their stories at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/ebooks

]]>press,news,libraries,leisure and culture,Witney,abingdon,GroveTue, 14 Mar 2017 14:27:15 +0000https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_shortstorywinner1.jpg?10000Award winning Gemma is pride of county council and East Challowhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/award-winning-gemma-is-pride-of-county-council-and-east-challow/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/award-winning-gemma-is-pride-of-county-council-and-east-challow/A 21-year East Challow woman who works with adult social care teams at Oxfordshire County Council has been given a special award linked to her apprenticeship. Gemma Tuckey, who works in the Contracts Team, in Joint Commissioning based at County Hall has been awarded the Special Recognition Award at the Oxfordshire Apprentice Awards 2017.

She was one of hundreds of apprentices from across Oxfordshire to be nominated for the award. She joined Oxfordshire County Council in September 2014.

Gemma, a resident of East Challow near Wantage, and a former pupil of King Alfred's Sports Academy in the town, said: “Prior to my apprenticeship I studied health and social care at college, where I got low grades, and was struggling to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I decided to choose an apprenticeship and I began as an intermediate apprentice studying Business Administration for a year in the Engagement Team at Oxfordshire County Council.

“I decided that I wanted to carry out the Advanced Business Administration apprenticeship so I stayed on in my team and carried this out for another year.

“I worked hard in my role and dealing with large projects and issues in my day to day work helped me gain the experience to work in my job today, as a Quality and Contracts Officer in Learning Disabilities.

“I never thought I would win this award but I did. I am so proud of my journey and am grateful for all opportunities that The Council has handed me in the last 3 years."

Kate Terroni, Director for Adult Social Care at Oxfordshire County Council, said: “We are very proud of Gemma and we know that she would like to thank everyone who has supported her to achieve this award.

“Gemma is a bundle of energy and her success shows how we at Oxfordshire County Council put time and effort in to helping members of staff grow and mature. Gemma is very much ‘one of our own’. I have had a number of dealings with her over the last few years have been very impressed.”

Notes to editors

Since 2006 Oxfordshire County Council has recruited more than 300 apprentices across all of its services. Apprenticeships provide an opportunity for the council to develop its workforce and provide employment and training opportunities for individuals in the wider community. All apprentices are paid a salary and given the opportunity to complete nationally recognised qualifications.

]]>East Challow,press,news,headlines,apprenticeships,adult social careTue, 14 Mar 2017 09:26:14 +0000https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_gemma.jpg?10000Open access children’s services to continue at 34 buildings http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/open-access-childrens-services-to-continue-at-34-buildings/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/open-access-childrens-services-to-continue-at-34-buildings/Start-up funding for 12 more community schemes to run open access services at children’s centres has been approved by Oxfordshire County Council.

The proposals, which will receive a total of £305,883, are among the latest to be considered as part of the transition from council-funded to community-led services at children’s centre locations.

Community services will complement the council’s new service for 0-19 year-olds, which will meet the needs and aspirations of children at risk of abuse and neglect in Oxfordshire, and ensure that families who need extra help are identified at an early stage.

Total adds up – and more to come

When added to previously considered applications, the approval of these 12 schemes means funded plans are now in place for services such as ‘stay and play’ to continue at 18 children’s centres, with business cases at a further six centres supported in principle but deferred to the final round of the Transition Fund for more work.

Added to this, open access sessions will also continue at the eight Children and Family Centres and two satellite centres at the heart of the council’s new Children’s Service.

In total, it means a combination of council-funded and community-led solutions for open access services are now confirmed or supported in principle at 34 buildings across the county – with more to come when applications for the final round of transition funding are considered.

Fantastic response

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Family Services Melinda Tilley said: “The response of local communities has been fantastic, and we are well on the way to seeing solutions in place at the vast majority of children’s centre locations. It has never been the council’s intention to close children’s centres – quite the opposite in fact.

“I suspect many people didn’t think this was possible, but we now have the makings of a truly countywide distribution of locations where ‘drop-in’ children’s services will continue to operate. I look forward to these schemes getting up and running as soon as possible, as I’m sure do many families across Oxfordshire.”

List of bids deferred to final round for more work but supported in principle:

Aflah Nursery (Florence Park Children’s Centre, Oxford)

The Nature Effect (Florence Park Children’s Centre, Oxford)

Mortimer Hall (Marston Northway Children’s Centre)

The Kings Church Didcot (South Didcot Children’s Centre)

Sunshine Centre (Sunshine Centre, Banbury)

Witney Methodist Church (Witney Children’s Centre)

List of Children and Family Centres and satellite centres providing council-funded open access services:

Banbury

Bicester

Witney

Abingdon

Didcot

Barton

Rose Hill

Blackbird Leys

East Oxford (satellite centre at the current Early Intervention Hub)

Banbury (satellite centre at the current East Street Children’s Centre.

Total locations set to continue open access services: 34

]]>press,news,community,Oxfordshire,children,Children education and families,families,parents,schools,young people,Banbury,oxford,education and learning,Abingdon,Witney,Didcot,Wallingford,Kidlington,Carterton,thame,Botley,Grandpont,Bloxham,bicester,faringdon,Grove,Chipping Norton,Wantage,Cutteslowe,Blackbird LeysTue, 21 Feb 2017 15:37:43 +0000https://content.presspage.com/clients/150_1660.jpg?10000Open access children’s services set to continue at 34 buildings http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/open-access-childrens-services-set-to-continue-at-34-buildings/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/open-access-childrens-services-set-to-continue-at-34-buildings/Start-up funding for 12 more community schemes to run open access services at children’s centres is recommended for approval by Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet on February 21.The proposals, which stand to receive a total of £305,883, are among the latest to be considered as part of the transition from council-funded to community-led services at children’s centre locations.

Community services will complement the council’s new service for 0-19 year-olds, which will meet the needs and aspirations of children at risk of abuse and neglect in Oxfordshire, and ensure that families who need extra help are identified at an early stage.

Total adds up – and more to come

When added to previously considered applications, the approval of these 12 schemes would mean funded plans are now in place for services such as ‘stay and play’ to continue at 18 children’s centres, with business cases at a further six centres supported in principle but deferred to the final round of the Transition Fund for more work.

Added to this, open access sessions will also continue at the eight Children and Family Centres and two satellite centres at the heart of the council’s new Children’s Service.

In total, it means a combination of council-funded and community-led solutions for open access services are now confirmed, recommended for approval or supported in principle at 34 buildings across the county – with more to come when applications for the final round of transition funding are considered in June.

Fantastic response

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Children and Family Services Melinda Tilley said: “The response of local communities has been fantastic, and we are well on the way to seeing solutions in place at the vast majority of children’s centre locations. It has never been the council’s intention to close children’s centres – quite the opposite in fact.

“I suspect many people didn’t think this was possible, but we now have the makings of a truly countywide distribution of locations where ‘drop-in’ children’s services will continue to operate. I look forward to these schemes getting up and running as soon as possible, as I’m sure do many families across Oxfordshire.”

List of bids deferred to final round for more work but supported in principle:

Aflah Nursery (Florence Park Children’s Centre, Oxford)

The Nature Effect (Florence Park Children’s Centre, Oxford)

Mortimer Hall (Marston Northway Children’s Centre)

The Kings Church Didcot (South Didcot Children’s Centre)

Sunshine Centre (Sunshine Centre, Banbury)

Witney Methodist Church (Witney Children’s Centre)

List of Children and Family Centres and satellite centres providing council-funded open access services:

Banbury

Bicester

Witney

Abingdon

Didcot

Barton

Rose Hill

Blackbird Leys

East Oxford (satellite centre at the current Early Intervention Hub)

Banbury (satellite centre at the current East Street Children’s Centre).

Total locations set to continue open access services: 34

]]>Wallingford,Hampton Poyle,Kidlington,Banbury,bicester,Witney,Abingdon,Didcot,oxford,Bloxham,Carterton,Botley,thame,henley,Wheatley,Wantage,Grove,Chipping Norton,Berinsfield,Chalgrove,watlington,faringdon,Children education and families,news,pressMon, 13 Feb 2017 16:14:08 +0000https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_primaryschoolchildren.jpg?10000Additional £875,000 to help transition to a new future for Oxfordshire’s daytime support serviceshttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/additional-875000-to-help-transition-to-a-new-future-for-oxfordshires-daytime-support-services/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/additional-875000-to-help-transition-to-a-new-future-for-oxfordshires-daytime-support-services/Oxfordshire County Council is proposing a new daytime support system that would enable older people and those with disabilities to live independently in their community. Having listened to more than 1,000 responses to a consultation that ran during November and December, the council’s original proposals have changed to reflect comments made - with £875,000 extra being spent.

The proposals, to be considered by the council’s cabinet on January 24, continue to include a guaranteed core service for people who require daytime support, alongside financial support to enable community-based services to continue to flourish.

People with assessed needs who receive help from Oxfordshire County Council’s adult social services would continue to receive support under a new proposed structure for daytime support in the county. Changes would not begin until late Summer/Autumn 2017.

Additional support to the voluntary sector

The proposal to cabinet also includes an additional money to be spent in the following way:

An additional £550,000 in a transition fund for voluntary sector providers who receive grant funding from the council - £300,000 in 2017/18 and £250,000 in 2018/19. This is in direct response to providers who responded to the consultation to say more time was needed.

There would be an additional £100,000 on fundraising support for the voluntary sector.

The council would replace its current annual funding for 47 community-based daytime support services with grant pots totalling £350,000 a year, which services could bid for under two categories. Funding is not currently linked to any system based on actual need. The council believes it can reduce overall funding and would target it at those services that would be unsustainable without it, plus those services that wish to innovate via:

Innovation Fund – the council proposes to provide one-off grant funding to establish self-sustaining new services to fill gaps in the market. There will be a grant pot of £100,000. (£25,000 less than originally proposed)

Sustainability Fund – the council proposes to provide grants to enable the ongoing delivery of daytime support services in areas of high need. There will be a grant pot of £250,000 – this is double the proposal of £125,000 that went out to consultation in November.

There is therefore a total of £100,000 of extra permanent grant funding.

This means direct spend on voluntary sector services will be up to £900,000 in 2017/18; £600,000 in 2018/19 and £350,000 in 2019/10. It is currently £992,000.

The council values day time support services run by volunteers and will continue to support these services while encouraging new community initiatives to be launched. Three-quarters of all community-based services do not receive funding from the county council so would be unaffected by the changes.

The county council would continue to provide a core service for people who are eligible for social care support, which makes sure they have the care and support they need. It would be a countywide service with an annual budget of £4.5m and a wide range of flexible, costed support options. The council would replace its current Health and Wellbeing Centres and Learning Disability Daytime Support services (22 building-based services) with eight new bases at the Abbey Centre, Abingdon; Redlands in Banbury; Bicester Health and Wellbeing Centre; The Meadows in Didcot; Oxford Options; High Street, Wallingford; Witney Resource Centre and the Charlton Centre in Wantage.

These bases would run from October and would be subject to ongoing review in terms of locations. People with different needs will be supported in the same buildings but there would be a range of different spaces and facilities to meet different needs and interests.

Proposals include transport to and from services for everybody who is eligible for it or who chooses to purchase it.

The council-funded Dementia Support Service provides support to people with dementia and their families across Oxfordshire through Dementia Advisors. It provides face-to-face support to an average of 120 people per week. This service would continue to be funded.

The council-funded Wellbeing and Employment Service, “OxForward” provides support to people over the age of 18 with learning disabilities, autism and physical disabilities. It supports 700 people each year providing opportunities such as moving in to and maintaining volunteering roles and employment. The council proposes this should continue with its existing budget.

The council would continue to work with the Age UK-provided Community Information Network service. In the event that changes are agreed to daytime support, the Community Information Network would prioritise working with people affected by changes helping manage a personalised transition from current daytime support services for those people who do not have eligible needs.

In addition the council will be permanently investing £25,000 a year in training for services around dementia and autism and £100,000 a year in enabling people to make choices about the use of their personal budgets.

When added to the £100,000 of extra grant funding this makes up £225,000 of permanent funding in addition to the £650,000 of temporary adult social care precept funding for daytime support.

Fit for the future and sustainable over the long term

Councillor Judith Heathcoat said: “We’ve listened carefully to points raised in the consultation and responded. Daytime support helps many people stay connected to their friends and communities. We want to ensure these services can continue on a solid footing for the future and we have listened carefully to what has been said in the consultation. I am pleased we are able to spend £875,000 extra in response to comments received and in particular to enable a smoother transition period than was envisaged before the consultation.

“Through volunteers and community groups there is already a thriving daytime support network in Oxfordshire – and three-quarters of these groups currently receive no council funding at all. As such I am confident voluntary daytime support services will continue to flourish.

“We hope to create more choice of day services from voluntary and private sector organisations. Advice, support grants and the addition of a substantial amount of transitional funding will be available to make this happen.

“At the same time, the council will guarantee a core service for people who have assessed eligible needs for social care support.

“We recognise that the period of change will be difficult and there will be support from experienced, skilled staff through that process. We are confident that the new services will provide tailored support to meet needs.”

Resilient network of services

Cllr Heathcoat added: “My cabinet colleagues will be asked to make a decision on these changes on January 24. Our ambition is to create a resilient network of services that expands what is currently on offer in Oxfordshire.

“Savings come from changing the way we deliver services. There’d be fewer council-run buildings and we’d save money on transport while providing a more flexible transport system delivered by support workers.

“The extra £875,000 means we can give a lot more help to people as we transition through changes.”

Notes to editors

Savings to the council on the £9.3m of services currently provided would reduce to £8.595m in 2017/18, £6.461m in 2018/19 and £6.161m in 2019/10. The saving is therefore £3.2m by 2019. Changes to services would begin in August 2017.

]]>press,news,adult social care,Wantage,Witney,oxford,Wallingford,Didcot,bicester,Banbury,AbingdonTue, 17 Jan 2017 07:43:57 +0000https://content.presspage.com/uploads/1660/500_shutterstock-41074129.jpg?10000It may still be Summer – but book now to get your electric blanket checked before Winterhttp://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/it-may-still-be-summer--but-book-now-to-get-your-electric-blanket-checked-before-winter/
http://news.oxfordshire.gov.uk/it-may-still-be-summer--but-book-now-to-get-your-electric-blanket-checked-before-winter/During the warmer August weather one of the last things people are likely to be thinking about is their electric blanket, However now is the perfect time to book your blanket in for a free check in October.

Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire & Rescue Service and Trading Standards are urging electric blanket owners to get their blankets tested free of charge ahead of the approaching colder months.

Testing electric blankets annually is important as all electrical systems have the potential to go wrong. In 2015 a total of 22 per cent of the electric blankets failed the safety test and were declared unsafe to use.

They can be perfectly safe to use provided they are in good condition and have the necessary overheating safeguards incorporated into the design.

Station Manager Chris Barber of Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service said: “Like any other piece of electrical equipment, it is vitally important that electric blankets remain in safe working order.”

“There are a variety of electric blankets including under-blankets and over-blankets, pre-heating blankets and all-night blankets. Whichever type you use we urge you to take up the free electrical safety checking service to make sure your blanket is safe to use this winter”.

How to book

Testing is by pre-booked appointment only, strictly on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to get your electric blanket tested please call Trading Standards on 01865 815 000 option 4 to arrange an appointment or email communityengagement@oxfordshire.gov.uk.

The electric blanket testing team will be visiting the following different locations around the county:

Monday 3rd - Oxford

Tuesday 4th - Banbury

Wednesday 5th - Wallingford

Thursday 6th - Abingdon

Friday 7th - Witney

Monday 17th - Wantage

Tuesday 18th - Bicester

Wednesday 19th - Henley

Thursday 20th - Oxford

Friday 21st - Chipping Norton

Make sure you stay safe by ensuring that your under blanket is secured to the bed using the supplied safety ties which prevent the blanket from moving and damaging the elements. When the blanket is not in use, store it flat or, if it must be folded, ensure that it is not folded too tightly.

Why do electric blankets fail their test?

because they were over 10 years old and had no safety features built into the controller

because of a leakage of voltage to the surface of the blanket

the elements were able to move around inside the blanket with the potential to rub together and cause a short circuit

elements were not secured within the blanket and were exposed to the surface

power lead fasteners were broken and unable to be secured

the surface of the blanket was worn, exposing the elements.

Notes to editors:

This advice is part of Oxfordshire County Council’s Fire and Rescue Service’s 365alive initiative.